Mark 10:1-16; The Picture of Marriage

Sermon in a sentence: God uses marriage as a picture to teach us.

The Picture of Marriage in Creation

Jesus pointed the Pharisees to the scriptures to answer their question.

Human sin does not change God’s design of creation.

We are still made in the image of God.

We still operate under the creation norm.

God also created marriage as a picture of Christ and his bride.

We see this throughout scripture.

Hosea and Gomer

Jeremiah 3:6-8, God married to Israel

Ephesians 5:32, Jesus andhis bride - the church

Notice that it is the responsibility of the man to leave his father and mother to hold fast to his wife.

The husband is the protector and leader in the marriage. Likewise, God is the protector and leader of his people.

Response:

Remind yourselves that your marriage is from God.

Remind yourself that your spouse is your first ministry.

If they are a Christian, this is the first place that God is using to make you more like his son.

If your spouse is not a believer then this is the best missionary field you have! (1 Peter 3:1)

Be careful how you speak of your marriage to others.

Frequently ask yourself, “Does my marriage show others a picture of the gospel?”

The Picture of Marriage in the Fall

Divorce is created because of the reality of sin.

Divorce distorts the picture of God’s character.

The fall does not remove God’s design.

Humans still bear the image of God. We are still held to the creation mandate.

God gave provisions for divorce and did not produce a command to divorce.

Sin causes horrific temporal consequence but even worse eternal consequences!

Response:

Recognize and confess your sins to Christ for forgiveness.

Count the cost of marriage. (Matthew 19:10-11)

Matthew 19:10–11 ESV

10 The disciples said to him, “If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” 11 But he said to them, “Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given.

The Picture of Marriage in Procreation

God gives procreation in marriage as a means to reflect his glory.

We glorify God by making disciples.

God uses the picture of children for his people.

Remember, Jesus has just told his disciples to kill their pride by becoming a servant like him. Once again, he uses the image of a child as an example of receiving God’s kingdom.

Also, Jesus is using the image of the Father to teach his disciples.